To be, or not to be an artist? Solo physical-visual performance inspired by inner anxiety that leads to discovering. Isolation, creative process, doubts, constant evaluation of the work, processing of (un)success - this is a cycle, in which artists constantly exist during the creation of a new piece.
“Slovak theatre scene has offered only very few stories since the year 2000 that could compete with the uniqueness of Sláva Daubnerová’s professional resume. Masterpiece’s premiere marks the end of the performer’s life’s chapter in which she wasn’t “merely” a director, but also a co-author and the cast. This opens up an opportunity to analyse both a specific piece and the wider context within her practice. The performer offers a story without any gratuitous pathos or egocentrism in which an artist’s existence is a world with no limits between the personal and professional. She offers a whole universe in which an artist has to inevitably come into conflict with society and herself. The interpretational line of enquiry built on tracing the female in the narratives of Western art history is also significant...The piece suddenly becomes a centuries lasting battle/process for recognition of women’s relevance in art and art criticism. A battle with society, feelings of loneliness and ignorance, or inner uncertainty about the validity of one’s chosen path suddenly ceases to be a story of an individual. It is a story of many generations of women makers who were unable to access the exclusive world ruled by men. Daubnerová thus declares her current social identity as co-created by swathes of her women predecessors. Her work (both in terms of this specific performance and her work in general) expresses respect and lays claim to their legacy.” Miroslav Zwiefelhofer
Concept, script, director, performer: Sláva Daubnerová Stage and costume design: Sláva Daubnerová Choreography: Andrej Petrovič Music: Martin Burlas Video: Jakub Gulyás, Jakub Pišek Light and sound design: Milan Slama Voiceover: Michaela Vrábová Producer: P.A.T.platform for contemporary theatre Production: Mana, s.r.o. Premiere: September 11, 2020 SĽUK, Bratislava
Financial support: Fond na podporu umenia, Bratislavský samosprávny kraj, Grantový program hlavného mesta SR Bratislavy na podporu kultúry ARS BRATISLAVENSIS and Nadácia Tatra banka
Selected festivals: The International Theatre Festival Divadelná Nitra 2020, Drama Queer Festival 2020
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Foto: Ctibor Bachratý, Collavino
